Friday, January 29, 2010

Come on in and check this out! With Superbowl Sunday right around the corner, I thought I would post a great Superbowl idea for this Meatless Monday at Sweet and Savory. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Recipe I got this recipe for vegetarian chili several years ago and have offered it as the meatless/vegetarian option at several fall events we host. It is always met with good reviews. I did not take this picture and have never frozen it but 3 different friends that have asked for the recipe say it freezes well.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Welcome friends, things are hectic around the house so I thought I would share an event we had several years ago. Doug found these pictures a few months back. They sure make for some great memories. Easter is a big deal at our house, for me bigger than Christmas. I have had huge annual Easter parties for many years. I do not remember what year we had this Redneck Easter Picnic but it was when my Daddy was still living. It had to be a time when Easter came later in the spring. The weather is too pretty (even in Georgia) to be an early March Easter. I wish I still had the invitation. The concept was that every one had to bring a redneck style picnic as well as picnic set up. These pictures are from while we were setting up and getting everything ready. It is just a random collection of a few pictures he found. All parties I give have guest interaction. Whether it is dressing up, bringing a certain food, a scanavger hunt, a learning party....we interact! Here is my mom hauling the guests around. Momma and Daddy were always early and loved greeting guests. Momma still has that 'early' gene!

The kids out looking for eggs. Possibly they are even helping hide the eggs before the rest of the guests arrive.

Here is someone's interpetation of a redneck picnic. They sure have bright colors and it looks very springy doesn't it?

My mom made these baskets for the winner of the most original picnic. We had three categories. I wish we had pictures of the winning entries. Heck I wish I remembered the details.

An old blanket with a paper sack for a picnic basket.

Without a doubt, this is one of Doug's famous fried turkeys. Again, sitting on the stove near the cleaner. In the fall of 1996 Doug decided to try frying a turkey. It was such a hit that the Thanksgiving of 1997 there was a line of people waiting for Doug to fry their turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. I looked out and saw people I had never seen in my life! Poor Doug cooked them all. He got cold Thanksgiving dinner that year. Here it is over 10 years later and Doug's turkeys are still famous and requested.

Props we pulled out to help the guests set up when they start arriving.

This is how Momma and Daddy would picnic. They drove over on the golf cart and set up as a drive in. It was a wonderful day. As daddy's health started to decline it was their way of visiting. He could sit on the cart, they had their table close at hand and could enjoy whatever was going on.

This is our front porch. We are set up, ready and waiting for all the food. See that swing in the back? Doug bought me that swing on one of our first dates. I love that swing.

We brought pieces from inside so everyone would have props to set up when they arrived

This is one of the only crafty things I have ever made. It is a round circular piece of fabric with 2" strips of other fabrics (cut long enough to reach the floor) tied through cuts made around the edges. Maybe that is why I can't make crafts, I can't explain how they were made.

It was a pretty day and this was the table scape inside. All of the eatin' and entertaining was done outside.

While I do not remember for certain, I feel confident this is one of my mom's famous hams. I have cooked hams but my mom is the queen of cooking hams. Again with the spray cleaner.

I sure wish there was more to share. I do remember we had a country singer there. I think we made homemade ice cream for dessert.

Does anyone else do unusual themes for parties? How about interactive parties?

Welcome everyone it's me, Keelie. Mom is really busy and I wanted to let you know what is going on. This is a picture of me at my first birthday party last year. It was at the dog park in IL. Jean owns the dog park. I miss Jean and all my friends. My party was the best. I will show you pictures but first.......

It has come time for me to vent! All I hear these days is Jessie's getting married.....shower this and luncheon that. Then Keeli's having a baby.....(NOT ME, the human Keelie) ultrasound this, shower this, enough already! My 2nd birthday is April 1. My humans need to get their priorities in order. That baby will be here in August, big deal. Jessie gets married in May....does it mean extra treats for me? If not, then so what? It has been established long ago that it is all about me. Even that grandson, Remington has a birthday in March. If I hear one more....oooh he's getting so big! I think I will howl!

Even Josh has a birthday in March, not that we care. I am certain Mom will do something for her.

Now to the important part, lets talk about my party. Last year Mom and Dad got the best human cake in IL, that is what the humans were saying anyway. We had my party at Yuppy Puppy Dog Park. We used to go there all the time.

Mom made special treats for me and my friends. They were very good.The humans had margaritas. I am not sure what they are but they drank a lot of them.She made special water bottles for everyone.The best part of the night was the presents. They were for me. I got T-shirts. I got toys. I got treats. Mom made doggie bags for all my friends that came to my paw-ty! Mom gave the humans scratch off tickets and the winners got free visits to Yuppy Puppy. The doggie bags had a tennis ball, treats and a birthday bandana.Here are more presents and goodies. These are some of my friends:

More friends.

Jean trains service dogs. Everyone played at my party.

Oh there was lots of food at the party, humans brought food for everyone.

We ran and played .

This is where Jean trains the service dogs but we got to play and party.

After the party I was very tired, I slept and dreamed all the way home.

Now please tell Mom to get busy planning my 2nd birthday party! We have to forget about luncheons and showers. We must think about Doggie Paw-ties. Creative juices must be coming my way.

Please leave a message for my mom to get busy on my party. It is important.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Come on in for a wonderful recipe. I am joining Chaya over at Sweet and Savory for Meatless Monday, go check it out here. Does anyone remember that program on Food Network called Calling All Cooks? It was home cooks sharing their best recipes. I got this recipe from that program several years ago. I sure miss it, great recipes. I have about 6 from that show that I make several times a year. This is a meatess meal that I love. My husband does not eat it. I cannot say he does not like it, he has never tried it. I have several vegetarian friends and it is my go to meal in the cooler months when they come over. It does have eggs in it. While fresh peas would be great I use the southern staple for canned english peas....Le Sueur Peas .

This is an on top of the stove soup. Sorry no crock pot. It makes a lot, and is very filling.

in a large pot, warm up the olive oil. add onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent. add the potatoes and salt and stir to insure the potatoes are coated with the oil. fry potatoes over medium heat for about 10 - 15 minutes but don't allow them to get color. Add the tomatoes, then using the can fill it up 1 ½ times with water, and pepper and sugar and bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 ½ hours.Add the peas, including the juice, and stir gently. Simmer another 30 minutes. Increase to a boil, crack eggs into a separate bowl and gently add to the top of the boiling mixture (amount based on room in pot). Cover the pot and let the eggs poach for about 15 minutes.Serve hot with 1 or 2 eggs per serving. Freshly grated romano over top.

Just posting this reminds me of the times my dad and I shared this soup. It is so good.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The giveaway ended tonight and we had a great time. I hope every one else did! Drum roll please.............

Tammy at Domestic Diva at Work ........congratulations..... This was her entry.

Thank you so much for your comment on my blog http://tammy-domesticdivaatwork.blogspot.com/2010/01/vintage-tablescape-buffetscapeWhat a great way to shop - love the large silver/pewter pot in first pic. Beautiful items....

I will update everyone in my next post about the exciting plans going on with the Bridesmaid luncheon and the baby shower. We have exciting stuff going on in this sleepy Georgia town. Doug is busy getting ready to go.

Please leave a comment congratulating Tammy or maybe visit her blog and tell her she should share. LOL We love comments.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Hey ya'll isn't this give away fun! Just a couple more days but I thought I would post a few more pictures of the treasures available for the $50 giveaway. I wish I had gotten Doug to take pictures of jewelry but forgot. He added some things today..... Next to that angel it s bunny rabbit tree topper, that bunny is just too cute. I know a lot of people do the year round trees.

This is a way cool bar set, brand new never used. Very good quality.

OK, I had to do this. Doug bought me this little guy. He is not in the giveaway. Isn't he the cutest thing ever?

Several people mentioned silver plate.

A different view

Are these bunnies darling?

Doug loves these gals. I admit whoever painted them had a talent with eyes! They have incredible eyes.

Another view of goodies. Those picture frames are awesome.

Some more stuff

That house picture is hand carved. Up close and personal it is amazing that someone could do that.

Lots of folks mentioned the fork and spoon. It is ceramic not wooden. I think it was like $8.25. He has great prices.

The glasses in this pic are from that place O'brien's (?) in New Orleans. Would that be cute for St. Patrick's day?

That bunny is cute. It is like a table top welcome sign.

Well keep entering. This has turned out to be such a fun activity. It is the first time I have been there in a while. He did not get pictures of Pfaltzgraff sets, or any of the other dinnerware. He has sorta turned into a dishaholic himself.....hmmmm.

All you have to do is leave a comment about anything. This is really fun. Doug has been getting ready to leave. Getting physicals, shots, and telling me about oil in the truck...dog food, fuses in the heat pump...He has to cut the grass before he leaves.....are you kidding me? We are both a bundle of nerves.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Here is our giveaway! It is a Just Because Giveaway. My husband is giving away a $50 gift certificate to his booth at a local Antique Mall. These pictures were taken yesterday but he has lots of new stuff from an estate auction. He has vintage dishes, serving pieces, decor, furniture, paintings, linens, books...... just lots of treasures. His prices are also great! In the comments just tell me what you collect, want or need. After the drawing we will email letting you know you were the winner.

In my mind when planning this, it sounded so simple. Anyway if you are for example a dish freak (rasing hand) just tell me. We will take pictures of lots of dishes and post them. He has Johnson Brothers, Mikkassa, lead crystal, hand painted vases......you know the drill.

It will be fun. You chose from the post and we will ship $50 worth of goodies to you. It will be a hoot. Trust me. LOLYou don't have to follow, or twitter or facebook or blog. Just leave a comment telling me what you might be interested in. I will post the winner and email the winner on the 22nd. Simple.

I know it will work out. The contest starts now, and runs through midnight January 20th.

Thanks so much for stopping by and joining in the fun!

Don't forget to post what you would like to get pictures of if you win a $50

Join in the fun and leave a comment!

Because of the high cost of shipping this giveaway is available only to those with USA and Canada addresses.

Some other things he has recently obtained, vintage jewelry, lamps, craft projects. Way cool stuff. LOl

About Me

Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I would love it if you would join me in our journey of Starting Over. At a point when most of those our age are dreaming of retirement spots, we are beginning again. Our home has been Georgia for most of my life and all of my married life. A few years ago we took a huge step. My husband left his job and took one in IL. We had to sell most of our belongings because they just wouldn't fit in our IL home. Then the economy downturn reared it's ugly head. He lost his job, our house in Georgia had not sold so we headed back. He couldn't find a job in the states so after 18 months he took a job in Saudi Arabia. So join me in my quest to raise 2 dogs; Josh our Lab, Ning our Rescue and our 2 pot belly pigs Hamlet and YamYam. There will be stories of missing my wonderful husband, shopping to refurnish our country home, occasional poor health, decorating, gardening, recipes and whatever else happens in our lives. Join in any time, I love comments and feel free to email me anytime. So welcome friends and lets get to starting over.......